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City Seeks Feedback on Funding the Future of SLO

Post Date:03/02/2018 12:00 PM

The City of San Luis Obispo is embarking on a comprehensive review of the projects and associated funding needs that will provide the services and experiences local residents desire for the future of the City.

We want your input on funding the future of SLO! The City is hosting a community forum Monday, March 26th, 2018 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the SLO Police Department, 1042 Walnut St, San Luis Obispo, CA.

The projects included in the review will improve community health, safety and recreational opportunities, expand residents’ transportation options, support smart growth, and enhance the ability of first responders to provide essential community services. Each of these projects has been previously adopted through various long-range policies and plans, including:

Enhancing the Mission Plaza arts and culture experience through a redesigned amphitheater, restored restroom, new café and extensive safety provisions

Extending cross-town corridors and separated bike paths (such as the Prado Road extension, Tank Farm Road widening and completion of the Bob Jones and Railroad Safety Trails) to better provide for bicycling as a transportation mode of choice

Upgrading or building new public safety facilities, such as a police station and emergency operations center, to enhance the ability to provide public safety services

This capital improvement project review was initiated to meet the 2017-19 Major City Goal of Fiscal Sustainability and Responsibility, one of four goals identified by the City Council and community during the budget planning process. The City has taken a holistic look at the projects desired by the community and has determined current revenue sources are inadequate to achieve community goals. This review has concluded that creating the SLO of the future, as recently envisioned in the City’s General Plan Land Use and Circulation Element update, will require additional financial resources over the next 20 years. City staff is considering various funding mechanisms to deliver on these needs, including sales tax and financing mechanisms through property taxes.

“City staff has identified that approximately $400 million in additional revenue is needed to fully deliver on the infrastructure projects that will provide the services and experiences SLO residents desire,” said Daryl Grigsby, Director of Public Works. “The Local Revenue Measure (Measure G) funds the maintenance of existing facilities. There is currently no funding to support substantial enhancements to existing services or for new projects.

The community has an opportunity to review and weigh in on proposed funding mechanisms through an Open City Hall survey, found here. Following the initial presentation to City Council in mid-January, Council will review community input and provide direction on this issue at its April 17 meeting. You can view the Funding the Future of SLO presentation here.